PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            13 April 2000     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999028303

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Ms. Celia L. Adolphi		Member	
	Ms. Sherri V. Ward		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests, in effect, that his records be corrected to reflect entitlement to all awards and decorations he earned during his military service.  In particular he notes that his Purple Heart and Air Medal are not reflected in his records.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 20 May 1968.  Following successful completion of basic and advanced individual training he was assigned to Vietnam as an infantryman with Troop D, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division in October 1968.  Orders issued by the 4th Infantry Division confirm he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and Air Medal.  In December 1968 he was promoted to pay grade E-4.

4.  On 11 May 1969 the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action and evacuated to Fort Knox, Kentucky.  There is no indication he was ever awarded the Purple Heart.

5.  Following the applicant’s release from the medical center at Fort Knox he was assigned to Fort Dix, New Jersey for the duration of his active duty service obligation.  He was honorably discharged on 19 May 1970.  His separation document only reflects entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and a marksmanship qualification badge (M-14).

6.  A review of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) notes the applicant’s unit (Troop D, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry) was credited with participating in three designated campaigns during the applicant’s period of assignment.  The unit was also awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal (First Class) during his tenure with the organization.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states that the Vietnam Service Medal is awarded with bronze service stars to denote participation in designated campaign periods. It also notes that individuals assigned to Vietnam for 6 or more months between 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973 are entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (60-).

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  Current practice requires that the commander provide written notice of nonfavorable consideration and permits the individual to respond.  The applicant’s conduct and efficiency ratings through out his period of active duty were exceptional.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and Air Medal as a result of his service in Vietnam.  However, neither award was recorded on his separation document.

2.  The evidence also confirms that the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action on 11 May 1969 while in Vietnam and as such should be awarded the Purple Heart.

3.  Based on the applicant’s tour of duty in Vietnam he is also entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal (First Class), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (60-).  He is also entitled to three bronze service stars on his Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  The applicant completed a qualifying period of service for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal on 19 May 1970 when he was honorably discharged from active duty.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s official military personnel file that his commander ever disqualified him for award of the Good Conduct Medal or any evidence on which to deny him the award.  As such it would be appropriate, and in the interest of justice to award the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 20 May 1968 through 19 May 1970.

5.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

a.  by showing that the individual concerned is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal (First Class), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (60-) and three bronze service stars on his Vietnam Service Medal;

	b.  by showing that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and an Air Medal; 

	c.  by awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 20 May 1968 through 19 May 1970; and

	d.  by awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds sustained as a result of hostile action on 11 May 1969.

BOARD VOTE:  

___fe___  ____cla_  __svw___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999028303	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000413	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	Grant	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.